Halo Infinite's Winter Update includes weapon buffs for Plasma Pistol, VK78 & more

Published , by Morgan Shaver

Halo Infinite players are undoubtedly familiar with the inadequacies of weapons like the Plasma Pistol, and it seems like developer 343 Industries is aware of them as well. In a recent Halo Waypoint post, details about weapon buffs and adjustments coming in the game’s Winter Update on November 8 were shared.

Among these are some solid buffs to weapons like the Plasma Pistol, as well as improvements to weapons like the VK78 Commando. Starting with everyone’s least favorite gun to get while playing Fiesta, the Plasma Pistol. It’s noted in the Halo Waypoint post that many players have reported the Plasma Pistol “underperforming against Spartans, especially when using its overcharged shot.”

Because of this, the values for this are being increased along with the weapon’s base shot damage. As shared in the Halo Waypoint post, the Plasma Pistol will enjoy the following buffs in the Winter Update:

© 343 Industries

While the VK78 Commando isn’t on the same level of inefficiency as the Plasma Pistol, players have reported issues with the weapon at shorter range.

Not only will the VK78 Commando see increased bullet magnetism, it’s also getting a slight increase to headshot prioritization angle and an increase in its aim assist angle.

© 343 Industries

Other weapons getting buffed in the Winter Update include the Pulse Carbine with an increase to guided angular velocity at rest from 25 to 35 degrees per second, decrease to angular velocity from 50 to 30 degrees per second, increased target leading fraction from 0.35 to 1, and increased guided projectile error radius from 0.2 to 0.22 degrees. The Disruptor will also see a minor buff with magazine ammo count increased from 10 to 12.

In the area of nerfs, weapons like the BR75 are noted as “performing a bit too well” so the skill ceiling on landing the final kill shot has been raised in addition to the weapon seeing a reduction in effectiveness at range from the hip.

For fans of the Frag Grenade, this has been nerfed slightly as well with the detonation timer increased by 0.2 seconds. A physics bug that allowed “snap sliding” has also been adjusted. Finally, the team remarked that over the next few months, there are plans to release additional balance updates including melee trade adjustments for the game’s Energy Sword, mouse and keyboard input improvements, and bug fixes for network “desync” issues.

© 343 Industries

For more on what to look forward to in the Winter Update on November 8, be sure to read through the full Halo Waypoint post. And for more Halo Infinite news, check out some of our previous coverage including how Halo Infinite's upcoming Winter Update will add 4-player campaign co-op, and how the Halo franchise is reportedly switching to Unreal Engine 5, moving away from its proprietary Slipspace Engine.